Any love for Heavens Gate?

[SickBoy]

I've been overdosing on these guys for the last few days and still can't get enough of them!
Search revealed there wasn't a topic about them on UMOS...EVER! It was about time someone rectified such an injustice...

For those unfamiliar with the band, they were a part of the German power metal wave in late 80s/early 90s. Not as known as other bands involved (like Helloween, Grave Digger etc.), but not a tiny bit less worthy of a praise, they've released 5 studio, 1 live album and 3 EPs during their career spanning 1989-1999. First 3 albums are the most straightforward ones, I suppose anyone enjoying the genre and the bands I associated them with will be more than pleased!
On 1996's "Planet E." they incorporated clever progressive influences, more in vein of Queensryche than Dream Theaterish wankery and IMO that's their best release. The last album "Menergy" was a concept of some sort, with interludes called "Teleshoot" between all regular songs.

The name of their guitarist, Sascha Paeth, should ring many bells, since he's a respected producer with credits including Rhapsody and Angra. Thomas Rettke was rarely seen since the last HG album, apart from several guest appearances (Avantasia, Aina) graced by his distinctive vocals, until 2006. when he released "Rage Of Fire" with RedKey, a new band including Paeth!

What can I say except - those of you unfamiliar with HG, listen to them and enjoy some terrific and witty songwriting and musicianship!
Those of you familiar with them, give them a spin, I'm sure you've missed them

Recommended songs: Under Fire, In Control, Can't Stop Rockin', Livin' In Hysteria, Terminated World, On The Edge, Enter: Eternity, Menergy and many many more...

When you're done with your homework I expect some posting here

NP: HEAVENS GATE - Planet Earth

 

[Wyvern]

Heavens Gate is one of the most underrated bands ever. Rettke's vocals were great and the band even if categorized as Europower metal to me they transcended that tag, expecially if you check the way they matured from "In Control" to "Menergy" and let's not forget "In The Mood" the whole unplugged album where they retook some of their finest moments on acoustic.

My favorite songs are: 'In Control', 'Tyrants', 'Path of Glory', Livin' In Hysteria, 'The Never Ending Fire', 'Under Fire', He's the Man, 'Rising Sun', 'Planet Earth', Noah's Dream, 'Breaking Loose', 'Glass People', but basically the whole discography does it for me.

I was pretty sadden when they split but I folllowed them into Aina and even the solo Luca Turilli albums and also the Paeth/Matos project Virgo.

Thanks for the hint on RedKey I´ll check for it.

 

[J-Dubya 777]

KILLER band!

 

[poundingmetal74]

Haven't heard them, but it says Sascha Paeth played with them. I may have to check these guys out.

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Completely off my radar as well. Of course I know Sascha, he showed up in my living room just last week (granted, it was only for one guitar solo toward the end of my Kamelot DVD). But as a producer he is one of the best IMO.

Think I'll test out Amazon's new cheap download option...

 

[SickBoy]

Just make sure to post your impressions...

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

I bought one song off Amazon for 89 cents. It's a ten minute medley of In Control/Livin' in Hysteria/Gate of Heaven/Hell for Sale. But it's a weird acoustic version of the songs with sort of a reggae beat. It's cool, but it's not metal. I guess I downloaded the wrong song (ten minutes for 89 cents seemed appealing).

 

[SickBoy]

And of all the good stuff you poke the wrong one.
Try downloading an album, if you like it you buy it, if you don't - recycle bin it is and no harm done...

 

[Wyvern]

It's great music I recommend Livin' In Hysteria for beginners, if you dig that one the rest are better.

 

[poundingmetal74]

Just checked out Living in Hysteria. Not bad. Reminds me of Helloween meets Savatage.